(from my journal: "It's Green And It's Bean", April 30, 2001 Julia made an unusual purchase this weekend when she and Laura were in Tucson. The co-op offered fresh soybeans, which she couldn't resist. They seem rather like peas in a pod, though the pods are shorter and rather tough. I'm certain Julia cooked them to instructions, but I can't imagine anyone finding the pods themselves edible. The inner beans, however, are very delicious. They remind me of a cross between peas and peanuts in both taste and texture. I couldn't stop eating the slightly chewy beans, until I'd emptied a large bowl which had been at least halfway full before I began. But I felt more deeply satisfied afterwards, than when eating ordinary beans. Perhaps soybeans are as high in protein as they say they are. Whatever, that this particular food item is actually a healthy treat did not detract from the fun of the experiment.